Web interfolding apparatus and method



June 16, 1953 o. E. TEALL 2,642,279

WEB INTERFOLDING APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed Feb. 21. 1950 v 4Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTUR DLIVER E. TEALI.

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ATTORNEY June 16, 1953 Q TEALL WEB INTERFOLDING APPARATUS AND METHOD 4Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 21. 1950 INVENTDI? DLIVEH E. TEALL ATTORNEYJune 16, 1953 o. E. TEALL WEB INTERFOLDING APPARATUS AND METHOD 4Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 21. 1950 //0 9/ 2d we Ma 09 4% 91 /64- A50 /4im [36 /40 2 Mo A /09 F g //2 /4-6 9 11 gllvlal A36 INVENTUR ULIVERETEALL.

ATTURNEY //a. /l/ EM.

Patented June 16, 1953 WEB INTERFOLDING APPARATUS AND METHOD Oliver E.Teall, Phoenix, N. Y., assignor of onethird to William Edds, SenecaFalls, N. Y., and one-third to Douglas Crutchley, Cicero, N. Y.

Application February 21, 1950, Serial No. 145,418

18 Claims. 1

This invention relates to interfolding apparatus, and more particularlyto an apparatus and method for continuously longitudinally interfoldingstrip material'into a multiple interfolded layer stack of tissue,towelingor other cellulosic material.

Heretofore the multiple layer interfolded stacks of tissue, toweling andthe like, have been produced with the fold arranged transverse of theweb supply, and the interfolding and stacking operation operated on asingle stack basis. resulting in a relatively slow operation.

The present invention relates to the drawing of webs from a series ofsupply rolls arranged along a laying-up conveyor, and in which thesuccessive webs are caused to be interfolded along lines longitudinallythereof. The invention more particularly relates to a continuousoperation wherein sheet material in web form flows steadily from aseries of rolls through forming devices associated with each roll, andin which interference during interfolding of the webs is completelyeliminated. v

The invention further has to do with the provision of forming devicesadapted to operate on a series of staggered sheet material supplysources, wherein successive sheets partially overlap the previoussheets, and in which the nonoverlapped portions are caused to be foldedto form interfolds as the material is assembled in a continuouslyflowing growing stack. The final stack continuously flowing unbrokenfrom the apparatus thus contains as many individually interfolded websas there are supply rolls.

The above and other novel features of the invention will appear morefully hereinafter from the following detailed description when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is expressly understoodthat the drawings are employed for purposes of illustration only and arenot designed as a definition of the limits of the invention, referencebeing had for this purpose to the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicatelike parts:

Figure 1 isa top plan view of the machine, intermediate duplication ofparts having been eliminated;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the machine as shown in Figure l; g

Figure 2a is a transverse broken section taken through the machine,substantially on the line 2a2a of Figure 2;

Figure 3, is a fragmentary detail in side elevation, showing the drivingcoordination between the various moving parts;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary detail of the output end of the conveyor anddrive mechanism, shown substantially in top plan;

Figure 5 is an enlarged side elevation of three successive interactingfeeding and folding horns or shoes, with web thicknesses only indicated;

Figure 6 is a top plan view of Figure 5, but with the webs eliminated;

Figure 7 is a perspective of a left hand horn or shoe, and fingers;

Figure 8 is a perspective of a right hand horn or shoe and fingers;

Figures 9, 10, 11 and 12 are diagrammatic views of three successivehorns and the starting end of a fourth, respectively, illustrating inpro- 7 'gressive stages and interfolding operation as it is'successivelyperformed;

Figure 13 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view indicating the natureof the interfold which may be produced.

In Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a frame 20 which normally wouldextend in length to accommodate as many rolls of web stock,corresponding to the number of interfolds desired to be laid up. Inpractice, the number may be or more rolls, and if facial tissue or thelike, each roll may contain two-ply tissue with the grain extendinglengthwise and creped transversely. Accordingly, but the initial threerolls and an end roll are shown, with their respective mechanism, sincethe mechanism for each roll, or rather pair of rolls, is repetitive.

Alternate rolls 22 and 26 are offset with respect to intermediate rolls24 and 21, assuming an even number of rolls is employed, byapproximately half of the width of the web stock. Such rolls are mountedon spindles 2B, 30, 32 and 33, and auxiliary spindles (not shown) may beprovided adjacent each roll to carry a reserve roll, so that as one rollis spent, a second roll may be fed in in overlappingrelation withoutinterruption to the operation.

The frame consists of a pair of spaced parallel angle members 34 and 36,extending the length of the machine, between which is mounted a conveyorbelt 38, the same extending between end rolls 40 and 42, and the upperreach riding over spaced rolls such as 44,. 46, 48 and 50 along the"Beneath each supply roll is a free-running idler or guide roll 59, and afeed roll 69, each of the latter having common driving mechanismincluding sprockets 62 and chain 64; the chain also engaging idlersprockets 66 between each two feed rolls to assure engagement, The idlersprockets 66 and guide rolls 58 may be vjournalled on shafts supportedon brackets 68 and I9 extending respectively from rail or bar 56, whilethe feed rolls may be mounted on shafts 6I journaled in the uprights 59.It will be appreciated that the idler rolls and feed rolls will bealternately staggered to correspond with the supply rolls with whichthey cooperate, and the feed roll may be treated with a friction face topositively engage the web material to assure a positive feed, the idlerrolls providing a half wrap around the feed roll for such purpose.

The rate of feed of the feed rolls 69 is coordinated with the conveyorbelt travel through a second chain drive I2, connecting the power driveshaft 14 with an end jack shaft 16 having sprocket 18 over which one endof the chain 64 passes. The power drive shaft is provided with a beltengaging roll 89, and gearing I9 to a second shaft having the end roll42, the gearing and rolls 89 and 42 having the same diameter ratios,whereby the rolls 89 and 42 assure positive drive of the conveyor beltat the desired speed and coordinated with the feed rolls 69 on shafts6|.

The rail 56 also supports a series of shoes one for each roll supply,the shoes being alternately rights and lefts, as will appear in Figures5, 6, 7 and 8. Each shoe comprises a horizontal portion, and an inclinedhead portion rigidly secured to cantilever support bars 92, 84, 66 and81, mounted on the rail 96, the bars 92, 94, 86 and 81 extendinghorizontally and transversely across the belt 38.

The initial shoe 99 comprises an inclined guiding head 92 rigidlysecured to the bar 82, and a horizontal shoe portion 94 having a sideflange 96, of gradually increasing height. The shoe portion 94 issomewhat wider than half of the width of the web stock 9I, and theinclined guiding head is provided with a forming or slack producinginclined edge 98 extending to the right, the guiding head being somewhatwider than the web stock at the bar support edge I99. The edge I92 ofthe inclined head is provided with a small guide flange I94, and theinclined edge 98 terminates short of the bend or juncture I96 betweenhead 92 and shoe portion 94, as is indicated at I98.

A series of shoes such as H9 and H2, lefts and rights but otherwisesimilar, are arranged in tandem along and over the length of theconveyor belt 36, the shoes being rigidly supported as by bars 84, 86,etc. The shoe I I9 has a flange I I4 similar to the flange 96 of shoe99, but on the left side, and the inclined head II'I is provided with aforming or slack producing incline II8. Similarly, a small guide flangeI29 is provided similar to the flange I94 of shoe 99, and such flangemay in effect "be a continualion ofthe flange 96, or slightly offsetfrom alignment therewith. g g A Shoe II2, like shoe 99, is provided witha guide flange I22, a forming or slack producing incl ned edge I24 andside flange I26 of gradually increasing height. The guide flange I22 maybe in substantial alignment with, or -slightly offset from he flan e II4of shoe II9. M t Formiig fingers, right and left hand, I28 and 139extend along the respective right and left 4 flanges of the successiveshoes, such fingers also extending diagonally across the immediatelyfollowing shoe. Alternate fingers I28 (right hand) comprise a supportedsection I3I of gradually increasing height to correspond with the risingflanges 96 and I26, etc.,--of the right-hand shoes and are of a lengthsimilar to the flanges. Support brackets I32 and I34 extend to angleiron 34, and hold the section I3I of each of the fingers I28 in suitablyspaced relation from their respective flanges 96, I26, etc. The free endof the finger I36 is somewhat relieved on its under edge by anoffset-l38 and thereafter extends diagonally across the plate portion ofthe shoe H9. The free end gradually decreases in height as is indicated,terminating in a tip I35.

A'le'ft hand finger I39 of similar shape to finger I28, but reversed,has a supported section I49, supported by brackets I 42 and I 44 fromthe angle iron 36, with a free portion I46 extending diagonally acrossthe succeeding shoe I I2, there being an offset I48 where the fingerbends about the guide head I2I of shoe H2 in slight spaced relationthereto.

It will be understood that a web of paper stock 9I is fed at belt speedto the guide head 92 of shoe 99, with the left hand half of the stockmoving down the guide head 92 and being fed along beneath the shoeportion 94. The right hand portion of the web is provided with a shortcut, by reason of the inclined edge 98, providing sufficient slack, sothat the right hand portion may travel over the supported end I3I of thefinger I28 between the finger and flange 96.

The web stocks SI and I I3, as shown in Figure 5, are actually indicatedas thicknesses only, to avoid hiding the essential elements. The actualcourse taken by the web stocks 9-I, III, H3, MI, etc., arediagrammatically indicated in the sectional views of Figures 9 to 1-2,.inclusive, as will appear hereinafter.

A reference to Figure 9 will show successive stages diagrammatically ofthe approximate section through the web stock as it progresses along theshoe 99, with the left portion 93 beneath the shoe and the right portion95 between the flange 96 and finger part I3I. As the height of thefinger I28 (supported section I3I) progressively increases, the freehalf of the web is gathered in a fold 9101? increasing height. Such foldis positioned along the edge of the shoe, and in readiness for foldingover the succeeding web stock III, fed beneath the guide head I I! andshoe H9.

The web stock I II is fed onto the guide head I I! with its right handhalf directed for travel beneath the shoe portion H9, and with the lefthand portion passing under the inclined edge I I8, producing slack insuch left hand portion for subsequent riding over the supported end ofthe left hand finger I39. The left hand portion is gradually formed intoa fold of gradually increasing height.

. A reference to Figure 10 will show the manner in which the free leftportion of the web III is reduce as a substantial portion of the freeedge of web BI is laid over the shoe I I0.

As the webs 9| and I I I travel to the succeeding shoe I I2, a third WebH3 is fed to the guide head H5 of shoe H2, with the left half directedbeneath the shoe H2, and the right half passing beneath the edge I24, toproduce a degree of slack in the right hand free portion of web H3. Theslack of web I It is caused to form a shallow fold over the finger I28associated with shoe H2, such fold increasing in height as the webtravels along the shoe H2. 7

,As diagrammatically shown in Figure 11, the free right hand half of theweb I I3 after passing beneath edge I24 is formed into a fold ofgradually increasing height over the rigid portion I3I of finger I28associated with shoe H2. At the same time, the left hand portion or foldI09 of web III is gradually swept across the upper surface of the shoeH2, the fold I09 gradually decreasing in'height as the web is flattenedacross the shoe H2. H I

As the webs 9!, III and H3 leave the shoe H2, a fourth web I4I is fedinto the guide head of a fourth left hand shoe, and as indicated inFigure 12, the preceding operationdescribed in Figure commences, thatis, the free edge or loop I H of web I I3 is swept across the succeedingshoe, while the free left hand edge of web MI is gradually formed into afold of increasing height.

The series of Webs thus fed on the conveyor form a stack oflongitudinally interfolded sheets as shown in Figure 13. The number ofsheets depends upon the length of the apparatus, and particularly thenumber of supply rolls and forming shoes employed. It will be seen thatsuccessive shoes will be mounted on the rail 56 at slightly increasedheights, to accommodate the accumulating stack of interfolded webs. Itwill also appear that the rolls 40, 42, etc., are located so as to lendsupport to the conveyor belt in correct relation to theirrespectiveshoes, although the weight of said shoes is largelyborne bytorsion .of the support bars 02 04, 86, etc.

In describing the action of the shoes and fingers'reference toadditional fingers for effecting a guiding action to the free edges ofthe webs has been avoided, such auxilary fingers not affecting theprinciple of operation but acting to smoothen such operation. Suchfingers as W111 be described may be associated with each shoe, where thefold is being formed or moved across a shoe.

In Figure 7, there will be seen ad acent the free end I36 of finger I28,a short finger I50 freely pivoted as at I52 on a bracket I54 mountedon-rai1 34. The rounded end of such finger rides on the free edge of Web9| in the manner diagrammatically shown in Figure 10, as it is formedover shoe H0. The weight of the finger I50 1s sufficient to prevent theweb edge from fluttering as it passes along the forming finger I28. Asimilar finger I60 may be pivotally mounted on a bracket I62 from angle36 in conjunction with each finger I30, as shown in Figurell.

Additional guide fingers serve to smooth the operation such as leftfinger I64 and rightfinger I66, secured to left and right shoes H0 andH2 as by welding. Such fingers loop over their respective shoe flangesand guide the free edge of the web in the initial forming. stage of theloop as is indicated in. Figures 10 and 11.

'It will be seen that the fingers I28 and. I30 actually provide, as theweb passes over the supported portions I3I and I40, respectively,atemporary' continuous storage device acting to move the outboard halfof the web into a fold, in readiness for smoothing or sweeping suchoutboardhalf across the inboard portion of the subsequent web whilebeing fed beneath its respective shoe. Just as soon as the previousoutboard web is swept across the shoe, it together with the interfoldedinboard web of the subsequent web pass beneath the next shoe, with theinboard portion of still another web superimposed. It will be seen thatthe folding-operation is automatic, successive webs first undergoing aninboardportion laying up stage, while the outboard portion is firststored in a delaying stage while being positioned in readiness forfolding over followed by a folding over and smoothing out stage. Duringthe storedror delaying stage, the outboard portion of the previous webis undergoing the folding over and smoothing out stage.

The finished interfolded web stock, comprising 50 or more interfolds,may emerge from the apparatus beneath a guide roll 20I in a continuousstream at a rate in the order of several feet per second, after which itmay be fed to a cuting machine adapted to transversely cut the stockinto sections of uniform length for packaging and delivery to the trade.It will be seen that the apparatus provides a fast, positiveinterfolding operation, which may be utilized'to interfold practicallyany form of heet material of the general type described.

While the folding operation has been described as functioning to foldover approximately a half of the web, to provide the interfold, it willappear that the folded over portion may be of lesser width, for example,a third the web width, or in fact any desired proportions may beeffected by the apparatus described, it being only necessary to vary thedegree of staggered or ofiset relation and the relative shape of thefingers. The'term median has been used to denote the line of the theexact Web center one or more plies having limited strength, it willappear that the invention is not limited thereto. As various changes inthe construction, arrangement, and proportion of the parts may be madeto accommodate materials having differing elasticity, strength, grain,and other characteristics without departing from the spirit of theinvention or over-all method, as will be apparent to those skilled inthe art, reference will be had to the appended claims for a definitionof the limits of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. The method of interfolding tissues and the like to provide a multiplestack of interfolded tissues which comprises, continuously feeding andbringing together in sequence a. series of webs at intervals spacedlengthwise thereof, with alternate webs oiiset laterally with respect tothe remaining webs, by an amount equal toa fraction of the width of saidwebs, whereby each web as fed has a longitudinal inboard section lyingin overlapping relation to a prior web and an outboardlongitudinalinterfolding section adapted to be folded over the inboardsection, guiding the outboard section of each web clear of theoverlapping section while laying the inboard section of the immediatelysubsequent web over the folded outboard section ofthe prior web, andsmoothing said outb oard interfolding section over the inboard sectionof said subsequent web prior to the laying of the inboard section of thenext succeeding web. I

2. The method of interfolding webs of cellulosic material and the liketo provide a multiple stack of interfolded webs which comprises,continuously feeding and bringing together in sequence a series of websof uniform width at intervals spaced lengthwise thereof, with alternatewebs offset laterally with respect to the remaining webs by an amountequal to substantially half" of the width of said webs, whereby each webbeyond the first web as fed has a longitudinal inboard section lying inoverlapping relation to the immediately previous web and an outboardlongitudinal remaining section adapted to be folded over the inboardsection, guiding the outboard section of each web temporarily clear ofthe inboard section while laying the inboard section of the immediatelysubsequent web over the folded outboard section of the previous web, andsmoothing said outboard section over the overlapping inboard section ofsaid subsequent web prior to the laying of the inboard section of thenext succeeding web.

3. The method of continuously interfold-ing a series of webs in sequenceto produce a multiple stack of interfolded webs, which comprises movinga web lengthwise thereof, with the portion to one side of a longitudinalmedian held in fiat formation, while gathering and temporarily storingthe remainder in a longitudinally extending fold clear of the portionheld in flat formation, introducing and superimposing in offset relationa second web upon said first web for movement therewith and with theportion of the second Web to the other side of the median thereof heldin flat formation, laterally moving the fold of said first Web acrossthe superimposed portion of the second web, while gathering andtemporarily storing the remainder of the second web in a longitudinallyextending fold preparatory to lateral movement thereof over a third webto be subsequently introduced and superimposed in alignment with saidfirst web.

4. The method of continuously interfolding a series of webs in sequenceto produce a multiple stack of interfolded webs, which comprises movinga web lengthwise thereof, with the portion to one side of a longitudinalmedian held in flat formation, while gathering and temporarily storingthe remainder in a longitudinallyextending fold clear of the portionheld in fiat formation, introducing and superimposing in offset relationa second web upon said first web for movement therewith and with theportion of the second web to the other side of the median thereof heldin fiat formation, laterally moving the fold of said first Web acrossthe superimposed portion of the second web, while gathering andtemporarily storing the remainder of the second web in a longitudinallyextending fold, introducing and superimposing a third web upon said lastnamed web in oiiset relation thereto, but in alignment with said firstweb, with the portion to said one side of a longitudinal median held infiat formation, and laterally moving the fold of said second web acrossthe fiat held portion of said third web, while temporarily storing-theremainder of the third web in a fold preparatory to lateral movementthereof over a fourth web to be subsequently introduced and superimposedin alignment with said second web. 5, The method of continuouslyinterfoldi-ng a 8 series of webs in sequence to produce a multiple stackof interfolded webs, which comprises moving a web lengthwise thereofwith the portion to one side of a'longitudinal median in flat formationwhile gathering and temporarily storing the remainder portion in alongitudinally extending fold clear of the portion held in flatformation, introducing and moving a second web in offset relation overthe previous web with the portion to the other side of the median of thesecond web overlying said first named web portion held in flatformation, moving said fold over said overlying second portion andsmoothing to flat formation, while temporarily storing the remainder ofsaid second web in a longitudinally extending fold, moving a third webin substantial alignment with said first web, with a portion to one sideof a longitudinal median in flat formation "and overlying the portion ofsaid second web held in fiat formation.

6. The method of continuously interfolding a series of webs in sequenceto produce a multiple stack of longitudinally interfolded webs, whichcomprises moving a web lengthwise thereof with the portion to one sideof a longitudinal median in flat formation while temporarily storing theremainder in a longitudinally extending fold clear of the portion heldin flat formation, moving a second web in offset relation over theprevious web stock, with the portion to the other side of the median ofthe second web overlying said first named web portion held in flatformation, moving said fold over said overlying second portion andsmoothing to flat formation, while temporarily storing the remainder ofsaid second web in a longitudinally extending fold in readiness formoving over a third web subsequently moving upon the previous first andsecond webs, the third web being located in alignment with the first weband offset with respect to said second we 7. In an interfolding machine,a conveyor belt, a plurality of means for feeding a web strip upon saidconveyor located at spaced points along the length of said conveyorbelt, alternate feeding means being offset laterally with respect to theremaining feeding means, "each feeding means comprising a smoothingmember adapted to overlie and extend along a section of the web stripand cover said strip to one side of the median of said strip, and afinger having a longitudinally extending portion for gathering theremainder of said strip in a longitudinal fold while traveling along andbeside said smoothing member, said finger extending in the direction offlow and having a second portion extending diagonally across thesubsequent smoothing member to move the fold across said subsequentmember, and smoothe'n Zaid remaining side over said subsequent mem- 8.In an interfolding machine, a conveyor belt, a plurality of means forfeeding a web strip upon said conveyo'r located at spaced points alongthe length of said conveyor belt, alterhate feeding means being offsetlaterally with respect to the remaining feeding means, each feedingmeans comprising a smoothing member adapted to overlie and extend alonga section of the web strip and cover said strip to one side 'of themedian of said strip, a slackproducing guide for the remaining side ofsaid strip, and a finger having a longitudinally extending portion forgathering said slack in a longitudinal fold while traveling along andbeside said smoothing member, said finger extending in the direction offlow and having a second portion-extending diagonally across thesubsequent smoothing member to move the fold across said subsequentmember, and smoothen said remaining side over said subsequent member.

9. In an interfolding machine, a conveyor belt, a plurality of means forfeeding a web strip upon said conveyor located at spaced points alongthe length'of said conveyor belt, alternate feeding means being offsetlaterally with respect to the remaining feeding means, each feedingmeans comprising a smoothing member adapted to overlie and extend alonga section of the web strip and cover said strip to one side of themedian of said strip, a slackproducing guide for the remaining side ofsaid strippand a finger having a longitudinally extending portion forgathering said'slack in a longitudinal foldwhile traveling along andbeside said smoothing member, said finger extending in the direction offlow and having a second portion extending diagonally across thesubsequent smoothing member to move the fold across saidsubsequentmember, and smoothen said remaining side over said subsequent member,said smoothing members being arranged substantially in alignment alongsaid conveyor belt. i

10. In an 'interfolding machine, a conveyor belt, a plurality of meansfor feeding a web strip upon said conveyor located at spaced pointsalong the length of said conveyor belt, alternate feeding means beingofiset laterally with respect to the remaining feeding means, eachfeeding means comprising a smoothing member adapted to overlie andextend along a section of the web strip and cover said strip to one sideof the median of said strip, a slackproducing guide for the remainingside of said strip, and a finger having a longitudinally extendingportion for gathering said slack in a longitudinal fold while travelingalong and beside said smoothing member, said finger extending in thedirection of flow and having a second portion extending diagonallyacross the subsequent smoothing member to move the fold across saidsubsequent member, and smoothen said remaining side over said subsequentmember, said smoothing members being arranged substantially in alignmentalong said conveyor belt, and said guides alternating from left toright. I

11. In an interfolding machine, means for conveying a continuous web ofmaterial, means for feeding a series of web strips upon said conveyingmeans at spaced points therealong, each strip in part overlying previousstripsfed on said conveyor means, alternate web strips being offsetlaterally from the remaining web strips by approximately half the widthof the web strips, whereby approximately one-half of each strip is laidover one-half of the previous strip, means associated with each of saidfeed- 10 oifset by approximately half of the web width, a forming shoeassociated with each web, and

mounted above said conveyor belt in parallel relation thereto, saidshoes being arranged in tandem and spaced along the conveyor inaccordance with the points of delivery of the series of webs upon theconveyor, and each shoe being adapted to overlie portions of said websalternating fromone side to'the other of the web medians, and meansassociated with each shoe for gathering the remaining portion of eachweb, said means extending along the side of the shoe adjacent the medianof the web passing immediately thereunder and across the succeeding shoeand guiding said remaining portion in a fold over the overlie portionsof the immediately successive web.

' 13. An interfolding apparatus for forming a multiple stack oflongitudinally arranged interfolds, comprising a conveyor, means fordelivering a series of webs to said conveyor at spaced pointstherealong, alternate webs being ofiset by approximately half of the webwidth, a forming shoe associated with each web, and mounted above saidconveyor belt in parallel relation thereto, said shoes being arranged intandem and spaced along the conveyor in accordance with the points ofdelivery of the series of webs upon the conveyor, and each shoe beingadapted to overlie portions of said webs alternating from one sideto theother of the web medians, and means associated with each shoe forgathering the remaining portion of each web, said means extending alongthesidej of the shoe adjacent the median of the webpassing immediatelythereunder and across the relation thereto, said shoes being arranged intandem and spaced along the conveyor in accordance with the points ofdelivery of the series of webs upon the conveyor, and each shoe beingadapted to overlie portions of said webs alternating from one side tothe other of theweb medians, and means associated with each shoe forgathering the remaining portion of each web, said means extending alongthe side of the shoe adjacent the median of the web passing immediatelythereunder and across the succeeding shoe and guiding said remainingportion in a fold over the overlie portions of the immediatelysuccessive web, said shoes having inclined guide heads, with alternateoppositely disposed slack producing guides, and having associatedtherewith a finger of gradually increasing height to receive theremainder portion of each Web and form a fold, said finger extendingdiagonally across the following shoe, to move the fold across theoverlie portion and smoothen the remainder over said following shoe.

15. In an interfolding machine, a conveyor belt, a frame extending alongsaid conveyor belt, a series of shoes supported above and in parallell1. relation to. said conveyor belt from said; frame, said shoes beingin tandem relation along the length of. said. belt, each of said shoeshaving a lengthwise extending flange along one edge, and a. guide headat one end. for feeding. web. stock beneath said shoe, said. guide head:having an extension to the side of said flange with aninclined slackproducing inclined guide. edge, said shoes with respect to said flangeand guide head alternating in rights; and lofts, means for feed-- ingweb stock to said guide heads: with. a substantial portion passingbeneath said shoe and the remainder under said edge, and a finger associated with. each shoe and extending along. said flange. and in spacedrelation thereto and sup ported from said frame, each; of said fingershav ing a free end extending beyond its respective shoe, around theguide head of the succeedin shoe and. diagonally across said succeedingshoe, said fingers. being alternately right and left handed tocorrespond with their respective assoeiated shoes.

16. In an interfclding, machine, aconveyor belt, a frame extending alongsaid conveyor belt, a seriesv of shoes. supported above and in parallelrelation to said conveyor belt, from. said frame, said shoes being intandem relation along the length of said belt, each of said shoes havinga lengthwise extendingflange. along one edge,

and a guide head at one end for feeding web 39 stock beneath said shoe,said guide head having an extension to the. side of said flange with aninclined slack producing inclined guide edge, said shoes with respect tosaid flange and guide head alternating in rights and lofts, means forfeeding web stool:v to said guide heads with a substantial portionpassing beneath said shoe and the remainder under said edge, and a finer associated with each shoe and extending along said flange and inspaced relation thereto and supported from said frame, eachv of saidfingers having a free. end extending beyond its respective shoe, aroundthe guide head of the, succeedin shoeand diagonally across saidsucceeding shoe, said fingers. being alternately right and left handedto correspond. with. their respective. associated. shoes, and means forpower actuating said feeding means and coordinated with the speed ofsaid conveyor belt.

A machine in accordance. with claim 15., inwhich an auxiliary fingersupported from said; frame isv mounted in substantial parallelism and.spaced relation; to the free end oi each of the first mentioned fingers.

18.. A machine in accordance with claim 15.. having a shoe mountedauxiliaryfinger extend.- ing parallel with said flange in lateral spacedrelation thereto.

OLIVER; E. TEALL.

References, Cited inv the, file oi this patentv UNITED STATES PATENTSNumber Name Date Re. 21,785 Burke et al Apr. 29, 1941 660,726 Hartt Oct.30, 1900 1,122,511 Lazar Dec. 29, 1914' 1,758,033 Dodge May 13, 19302,028,145 Coty Jan. 21, 1936 2,349,056 Serai May 16, 1944 2,388,139Grouse et a1 Oct. 30, 1945 2,521,187 Robinson Sept. 5, 1950

